Crime
10-year-old Miyah Harp dies after accidental shooting in Aiken County, mother Amalia Beltran faces meth charges
Investigators clarified that she was not the individual handling the firearm at the time of the accident.
In a tragic incident, 10-year-old Miyah Harp lost her life in an accidental shooting on Monday night, marking the second child shooting in Aiken County within 24 hours.
The shooting occurred around 9:57 p.m. in the 300 block of Wendy Lane in Windsor, as reported by the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office.
Emergency responders pronounced Miyah deceased at the scene at 11:13 p.m., with the cause of death identified as a gunshot wound to the chest.
According to Aiken County Coroner Darryl Ables, a preliminary investigation revealed that the shooting occurred when a family member unintentionally discharged a small-caliber rifle.
The family member’s handling of the firearm led to the fatal accident. Miyah’s autopsy is scheduled to take place in Newberry.
During the investigation, authorities discovered a significant quantity of methamphetamine at the residence.
This discovery led to the arrest of Miyah’s mother, 32-year-old Amalia Nicole Beltran, on charges unrelated to the shooting.
Beltran faces allegations of drug trafficking involving 28 to 100 grams of methamphetamine or cocaine base.
Investigators clarified that she was not the individual handling the firearm at the time of the accident.
The incident has left the community grieving, highlighting the devastating consequences of accidental firearm discharges and raising concerns about the additional drug-related activities uncovered during the investigation.
Crime
Brandy Manville Fatally Shot by Husband Charles Manville, Who Died by Suicide, Daughter Injured in Shooting
The situation escalated when the man armed himself with a firearm and was overheard by dispatchers saying, “Everyone is going to die,” followed by gunfire.
On Friday, November 29, 2024, at approximately 7:41 p.m., officers from the Portage Police Department responded to reports of a domestic disturbance on the 6300 block of Monument Avenue.
According to the initial 911 call, the complainant reported her father was intoxicated and throwing items inside the residence.
The situation escalated when the man armed himself with a firearm and was overheard by dispatchers saying, “Everyone is going to die,” followed by gunfire.
As officers arrived on the scene, they heard additional gunshots from inside the home.
A tactical team, comprising officers from multiple agencies, entered the residence, where they made a grim discovery:
- Charles Manville, 45, was found deceased with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
- Brandy Manville, 46, was located deceased with apparent gunshot wounds.
- Hayleigh Manville, 21, was discovered alive but suffering from critical gunshot injuries.
Officers immediately rendered medical aid to the surviving victim, who was initially transported to a nearby hospital by Portage Fire Department medical personnel and later airlifted to a trauma center by Lutheran Air.
She remains hospitalized in stable but critical condition.
No other individuals were found in the residence, and no officers discharged their weapons during the response.
Investigators believe this tragedy was confined to those involved and poses no ongoing threat to the community. At this time, the surviving victim has been unable to provide a statement, and the motive for the shooting remains unknown.
Brandy Manville was a dedicated administrative assistant in the main office of Portage High School. In response to this tragic event, Portage Township Schools will offer counseling services for students and staff starting Monday morning.
The Portage Police Department expressed gratitude to the Portage Fire Department, Lutheran Air, and the officers from the Burns Harbor, Ogden Dunes Police Departments, and the Porter County Sheriff’s Department for their prompt response and assistance during the incident.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the victims of this devastating crime. We also pray for the full recovery of the surviving victim, whose name we are withholding out of respect for her privacy,” a department spokesperson stated.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities continue to work toward understanding the circumstances that led to this tragic event.